Viewport for multi application user interface

ABSTRACT

In one general aspect, a method and system are described for generating a user interface. The method may include obtaining a plurality of viewports, providing, for display in a display device, the user interface depicting at least one of the plurality of viewports in the display. In response to receiving a request to add one or more additional viewports, the method may include generating the one or more additional viewports, appending the one or more additional viewports to the user interface, and generating an updated user interface to include the plurality of viewports and the one or more additional viewports. The method may also include displaying the updated user interface with a selected one or more of the additional viewports being scrolled into view on the display of the display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,888, filed May 13, 2016, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,892, filed May 13, 2016, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,895, filed May 13, 2016, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,897, filed May 13, 2016, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,899, filed May 13, 2016, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,873, filed May 13, 2016, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,875, filed May 13, 2016, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,879, filed May 13, 2016, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,883, filed May 13, 2016, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,886, filed May 13, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,887, filed May 13, 2016, each of which provisional application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description generally relates to user interfaces and user experiences. The description, in particular, relates to systems and techniques for providing a user experience for accessing and viewing data and information related to multiple software applications on a computing device.

BACKGROUND

Users may utilize or interact with multiple software applications at the same time. The multiple applications may be hosted on the same or different types of computer platforms or systems and accessed from the users' client devices. In example implementations, the different types of computer platforms or systems may include, for example, SAP HANA, SAP ABAP, or other enterprise-type computer platforms or systems.

In example implementations, the suite of the multiple applications which an enterprise may deploy (and which users may need to use for their work) may be large. A sample of the large number of applications that may be deployed by an enterprise for its operations may, for example, include applications in the areas or domains of Finance, R&D, Engineering, Human Resources, Manufacturing, etc. Different subsets of these applications may be used in the work of enterprise personnel, who, for example, may have a variety of different roles. Each user may have a need to use a different respective subset of the multiple applications, based, for example, on the user's role in the enterprise.

Consideration is now given to a viewport mechanism for displaying content and applications in an expandable user interface.

SUMMARY

A system of one or more computers can be configured to perform particular operations or actions by virtue of having software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them installed on the system that in operation causes or cause the system to perform the actions. One or more computer programs can be configured to perform particular operations or actions by virtue of including instructions that, when executed by data processing apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the actions. One general aspect includes a computer-implemented method for generating a user interface. The method may include obtaining a plurality of viewports. At least some of the plurality of viewports including personalized content from a plurality of sources and application functions integrated from a plurality of different applications. The method may include providing, for display in a display device, the user interface depicting at least one of the plurality of viewports in the display. The plurality of viewports may be scrollable in the user interface. In response to receiving a request to add one or more additional viewports, the method may include generating the one or more additional viewports, appending the one or more additional viewports to the user interface, and generating an updated user interface to include the plurality of viewports and the one or more additional viewports. The method may also include displaying the updated user interface with a selected one or more of the additional viewports being scrolled into view on the display of the display device. The selected one or more of the additional viewports may be based at least in part on a size of the display of the display device. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The computer-implemented method in which each viewport is a partial view of the user interface and where the plurality of sources include applications, social media platforms, messaging facilities, and stored data pertaining to a role of a user accessing the user interface. The computer-implemented method further including providing scrolling functionality between the plurality of viewports, the scrolling functionality being animated by fading out and downward scaling a first viewport before fading in and upward scaling a second viewport in the user interface. The computer-implemented method where a first viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a container with a user profile portion, a configuration settings portion, and a plurality of controls, a second viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a launch-able content container, a third viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a notification container, and a fourth viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a header toolbar, the header toolbar including a plurality of controls. The computer-implemented method where the plurality of controls are associated with a context of content being displayed in one or more of the plurality of viewports. The computer-implemented method where each viewport provides a partial view of the user interface and where the user interface has an adjustable surface area. The computer-implemented method further including resizing at least one viewport in the plurality of viewports, in response to detecting new information is available to be displayed in the user interface. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or process, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or process, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Further features of the disclosed subject matter, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings, the following detailed description, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a screen shot of an example personalized user interface (UI) display, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is an illustration showing an example login screen displayed in a shell main container.

FIG. 1C is an illustration showing an example launchpad displayed in a shell main container.

FIG. 1D is an illustration showing an example active application screen (an overview page) displayed in a shell main container.

FIG. 1E is an illustration showing an example object page displayed in a shell main container.

FIG. 1F is an illustration showing an example footer toolbar.

FIG. 1G is an illustration showing an example me area that can be displayed in a left container.

FIG. 1H is an illustration showing an example notification area that can be displayed in a right container.

FIG. 1I is an illustration showing an example copilot user interface.

FIG. 1J is an illustration of a timeline user interface that can display timeline entries.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example system that can implement the user interfaces and user experiences described herein.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example system that can implement the launchpad for the user interfaces and user experiences described herein.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate screenshots depicting examples of the viewport.

FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate screenshots of example user interfaces depicting viewports.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example process for generating a user interface.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to graphical user interfaces of software applications that display content, referred to herein as the “main content,” together with functions and other information besides the main content, i.e., supplemental content. Such applications may include, among other things, standalone software programs with a built-in display module that generates a graphical user interface (e.g., a viewport), as described in the example embodiments herein. Alternatively, display functionality may be provided separately, e.g., as an add-on package, a plug-in or through a separate program that communicates with a main content providing program via an Application Program Interface (API). The main content providing program and/or the display program may be executed locally on a user device and/or remotely, as a Web application, for example.

Example embodiments are described in which a personalized web interface (referred to herein as a viewport) is switchable to display main content in a scrollable graphical user interface. The viewport includes user selectable options to switch the display to the functions and information, thus ensuring access to everything the user may need in a convenient, space saving and visually appealing way. The options use minimal space to display so that user interface can include similar features across different computer devices.

Referring to FIG. 1A, an example display of a viewport 100 with a launchpad 101, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Launchpad 101 may be included in a center container 120 (e.g., “Work”) with content relevant to the user's work, domain, or role in the enterprise. A left side container 110 (e.g., “ME”) with content personal to the user may pertain to content in the launchpad 101 or may be independent of content in the launchpad 101. A right side container 130 (e.g., “Notifications”) may include notifications directed to the user that pertain to content in the launchpad or other content. In some implementations, these containers 110, 120, and 130 may be referred to collectively herein as viewports. In some implementations, the combined areas 110, 120 and 130 (or other screens) are referred to collectively herein as a viewport. In accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the personalized web interface may be presented as a uniquely integrated, multifaceted user interface which may, in effect, transform a single-screen view on the client computer device into three multifunctional screen areas (e.g., Left/Center/Right “viewports”).

In some implementations, the viewport may function as an entry point to access software applications and associated content. The viewport may be configured to provide a single screen view that depicts three (or more) multifunctional screen areas. In one example, the three areas are displayed in parallel as a left panel, a center panel, and a right panel. The center panel may include a workspace area which can display a launchpad (e.g., home screen) or one or more active application areas (e.g., screens) that a user has launched from the launchpad (or tile/link in the launchpad). The left panel may include a Me Area that provides various generalized functionalities related to the user and operation and personalization of the environments described herein. The right panel may include a Notifications Area that displays a broad array of notification types (System Alerts, messages, reminders, tasks alerts, etc.) in a customizable listing format.

In an example embodiment, the functions and information described herein are assigned to at least one virtual extension of a viewport. That is, a portion of the display area can be displayed, while other portions are virtual extensions and only displayed as a user or algorithm scrolls to place one or more of the other portions into view. In one example, a virtual extension can include a first extension area to the left of the viewport and a second extension area to the right of the viewport. When the main content is selected, the extension area(s) are hidden from display.

In another example embodiment, the viewport is switched to display selected supplemental content by triggering a graphical icon inside a viewport. Alternatively, if the display is touch-sensitive, a viewport may be switched by a touch gesture such as a swiping motion towards or away from the corresponding extension area. A viewport may be switched back to the main content, e.g., by triggering a respective icon or using a gesture.

In another example embodiment, trigger icons indicate when new or unread information is available inside a respective extension area. The indication can be a numerical counter, a symbol, a special graphic or animation, etc. Thus, the user need not leave the current context, i.e., the main content, to be alerted to new information.

In an example embodiment, the supplemental content is displayed by moving the corresponding extension area over to the viewport. The movement may be animated in the manner of a camera pan. However, other movements such as instantaneous display or fading in and out are also possible.

In yet another example embodiment, at least part of the main content remains on display in the viewport when the extension area is displayed. The main content may be shifted away from a central portion of the viewport and reduced in size (e.g., scaled down to 75% of its original size) to direct the user's attention to the supplemental content. In this display state, the main content may be partially cut off by the border of the viewport.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a Work viewport 120 is located in the center of the display screen. The Work viewport 120 may, for example, display either the launchpad 101 or an active application screen that was previously selected or opened from the launchpad tile array. The left Me viewport 110 may, for example, provide various generalized functionalities related to the user and their operation and personalization. The right Notifications viewport 130 may, for example, display one or more of a broad array of notification types (System Alerts, messages, reminders, tasks alerts, etc.) in a customizable listing format.

The launchpad or home screen in the viewport, which may available at all times and in any application, may provide a clear screen orientation for accessing corresponding application information as well as generalized functionalities and navigations without ever disrupting a user's context of their current task. On a client computer device (e.g., a mobile device), which has a limited display screen area, a personalized UI display may be adapted to present fewer of the three multifunctional screen areas or viewports on the device's limited display screen area. For example, only the Center, Left/Center or Center/Right screen areas or viewports may be presented on a mobile device's display screen.

For convenience in description, the terms “Work viewport”, “center viewport”, “launchpad”, “home screen” and “home page” may be used interchangeably herein because each may persist as a user-configured starting point in which to access content.

A client computer device structure or framework provides a viewport for a web interface for access to, or interaction with, a suite of multiple and diverse applications (or data sources), in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The viewport can be used for the multiple and diverse applications and may, for example, provide services to a user for application-to-application navigation, personalization, search, and incident creation. The Viewport may be designed to provide a common, same, or unified user experience (UX) to the user when launching, accessing, or interacting with one or more of the multiple applications. In an example implementation, a backend or gateway computer system (which may be connected to multiple applications or hosts) may generate the viewport. The Viewport may be delivered or presented as a web page on the client computer device and serve as a single web-based entry point for multiple applications and analytics across platforms and devices.

As indicated above, the content of the viewport may be organized in one or more containers (e.g., main or center “shell” container, left container, right container) for display on a display screen of a client computer device. The main container may contain the launchpad (e.g., home page), which may act as the starting or focal location for initiating application-to-application navigation, personalization, search, and incident creation, just to name a few examples.

Each of the multiple applications may be represented by, or delivered via, content (e.g., a graphical user element (GUI), link, tile, factsheet, or other object) on the viewport (or within the launchpad). Further, the content of the launchpad may be customized or personalized to a user (e.g., based on user role, authorization level, user interests or needs, etc.) for access to, or interaction with, a selected subset of the multiple applications (or data sources). Each of the selected subset of multiple applications may be represented a specific object (e.g., a tile or link) on the viewport (or within the launchpad). The specific object (e.g., tile or link) may be identified or labelled by a name, title, or icon indicating the specific application which the specific object represents. The tile or link (e.g., by a single click) may be used as an application launcher on the viewport (e.g., web interface) to launch the application that the tile or link represents.

The tiles corresponding to the specific applications represented on the launchpad may be organized as a group or array of tiles in a “tiles area” of the UI hosting the launchpad. Similarly, links corresponding to specific applications represented on the launchpad may be organized as a list of links in a “links area.” A Design Time Tool (e.g., available, for example, in a menu or via a tile or link on the launchpad) may allow users or administrators to define which applications should be displayed as links or tiles on the launchpad. Users/Administrators may personalize the tiles area and the link list area to a user.

One or more containers of the viewport may have adjustable amounts of displayed content (e.g., number of tiles) (and correspondingly adjustable display size or display area) so that the same viewport can be adapted for display on different-sized display screens of different client device types (e.g., smartphone, smart watches, laptops, work station, tablet, desktop computer, etc.), and across all possible deployment options (e.g., on premise, cloud, as-a-service, etc.). Which ones of the one or more containers are displayed on the display screen at given moment may depend, for example, the status of tasks or activities of the user navigating the viewport, and also, for example, on the size of the display screen of the client computer device available for display.

In example implementations, a container (e.g., center container, launchpad) may be used to display main or core content for a user (e.g., application/tiles relevant to a user's work or role). The launchpad may serve as a shell container to access all content. Other containers may include different panels with different floorplans for different content corresponding user interests or activities (e.g. a “ME” panel displaying information or personal data about a user, a “notifications center” displaying notifications (e.g., e-mail, text messages, alerts, etc.) for the user, a panel displaying discussion threads or boards, an Overview Page, an Object Page (e.g., a floorplan to view, edit and create objects), a panel displaying context and ad-hoc workflows, a panel displaying dynamic sidebar information, a dynamic side content panel, etc. The dynamic side content is a layout control that allows additional content such as timeline, chat, additional information to be displayed in a way that flexibly adapts to different screen sizes. In some implementation, if no notifications are available, the launchpad may overtake space typically set aside for notifications. In some implementation, the launchpad may be placed with a visual effect, including sliding in from a top of a UI and bouncing into place in the UI.

In example implementations, the applications (which, for example, may be a set of applications implemented on HTML5/CSS/JS technology using SAPUI5 framework) delivered via launchpad 101 may adhere to a consistent, responsive design that allows users to seamlessly experience the applications across interaction channels—desktop, tablet, mobile, etc. Further, the applications delivered via the launchpad may include legacy applications implemented on traditional platforms using legacy UI technologies (e.g., FPM/WDA, SAPGUI for HTML, SAPGUI for Windows, etc.). Access to legacy applications may, for example, be provided via corresponding links in a links area of the personalized UI display.

In an example implementation of the personalized UI display, a start screen (e.g., main container, “launchpad” or home page) may present assigned applications as so-called “tiles” (e.g., tile 150, tile 151, tile 152, etc.). Tiles (which are user-activable UI elements) may only be used as application launchers for launching applications and presenting the applications on the launchpad. An App Descriptor defines Navigation Intent (=Semantic Object+Action) to launch the transaction, Title, Subtitle and Icon for the Application Launcher, i.e. the text of the tile; and Parameters, e.g. order number.

A user may use these tiles (e.g., tile 150, tile 151, tile 152, etc.) to launch or navigate to specific applications. Incorporated into the launchpad may be a launchpad Designer tool, which allows assignment of tiles to users and user groups for customization or personalization (e.g., based on user role) of launchpad 101. As a general rule, each of the multiple applications (for which launchpad 100 serves as an interface) may correspond to at least one tile. An exception to the general rule may be for factsheet applications, which need not be represented by tiles. However, factsheets may optionally still be saved as and represented by tiles on launchpad 101 if desired.

In accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, a tile that represents an application (e.g., on launchpad 101 or any other UI), apart from serving as a UI element or button for launching the application and displaying the application identifier, may be a container that displays different types of additional information or content. The additional information may include, for example, informative text, numbers, and charts. The displayed tile content may be static or dynamic. The displayed tile content may be dynamically updated and may include, for example, data (e.g., trends or key performance indicators (KPIs), and application status, etc.) supplied by the backend systems or applications to which the tile is represents.

The multiple applications described herein may be hosted on the same or different types of computer platforms or systems (possibly including some applications hosted on the client device itself). In example implementations, the different types of computer platforms or systems may include, for example, SAP HANA, SAP ABAP, or other enterprise-type computer platforms or systems.

In example implementations, the suite of the multiple applications which an enterprise may deploy for its operations (e.g., in the areas or domains of Finance, R&D, Engineering, Human Resources, Manufacturing, etc.) may be large. Different subsets of these applications may be used in the work of enterprise personnel who may have a variety of different roles. Each user may have a need to use a different respective subset of the multiple applications, based, for example, on the user's role in the enterprise.

In general, viewports (e.g., viewports 110, 120, and 130) may each represent a partial view of a larger surface. By opening up this surface beyond the borders of a window (i.e., beyond the borders of the actual screen) a user may prepare to use the architecture described herein to extend to larger screens and collaborative wall displays. For example, if a screen or window is too small, the user will only see the viewport that fits to the screen or window. On the other hand, if the virtual screen is wider (e.g., multi-screen displays), the systems and methods described herein can provide an advantage of allowing a widening of the viewport to offer a panoramic view of the surface. While maintaining the promise to responsively support small devices, the systems and methods described herein offer the possibility to also target larger displays.

The viewport also provides the advantage of a natural user experience compared to the classical off-canvas designs that are common in mobile applications. As shown in FIG. 1A, two off-screen areas are shown, the Me area (e.g., viewport 110) with user-specific information and a Notifications area (e.g., viewport 130) on the right. Each off-screen area is populated using system-driven information. Users can access these areas through actions in a shell bar on the top left and top right corners. The transition that is shown upon accessing such content depicts a smoothly animated lateral move that mimics the user's head turning to the left and to the right in a panoramic view. User interaction with the content can be mapped to mimic natural user (e.g., human) gestures or input controls. The surface generated by the view therefore removes any screen limitations. Such a surface offers additional space for user-specific and system-driven data.

The Me Area can be found to the left of an off-screen area. Because this area is located off-screen, it is not permanently visible to the user. In order for the Me Area to slide into view, the user can click on the profile image located on the top left corner of the screen—an action that mimics the user turning his or her head to the left. This action will also trigger the viewport to move to the left and the main content area to zoom out. As the Me Area slides into view, the user will be able access information relevant to both the user and his or her usage environment. This includes, for example, the user's profile picture and access to online state, settings and preferences, a catalog of available apps (App Finder), tools to personalize the current content in the main area, and objects and apps recently visited by the user.

The Me Area may be available from each screen in the main content area. On the background surface, the different areas co-exist and influence one another. While most actions in the Me Area are available independently of the current context, some of the actions will be directly tied to the content shown in the main content area. For example, settings will display the settings page for the specific app in the main content area (not yet available). Additionally, personalization options might only be available if the respective screen is visible in the main area. In some implementations, an option to allow users to view a list of their most recently visited items is provided. This is especially useful for those users who are used to working with a limited set of apps or objects as it significantly simplifies their navigation.

The right off-screen area is dedicated to providing system-driven information. This may include system-generated notifications of events to which a user has subscribed. The system may provide more live insights and actions, making a real-time push channel increasingly important.

A notification center can provide system-generated notifications from various sources such as the workflow inbox or chat notifications. Notifications can be prioritized and grouped into groups of similar items. Through these configurations, the user will be able to access more information about a notification and take immediate action.

Similar to the Me Area, the notification area is accessible from every app that is shown in the main content area. Here, too, the user can bring the notification area into focus through a virtual turn of the head—that is, by clicking on the notification icon on the top right corner of the screen.

The notification area exists independently of the application in the main content area. The big difference between this area and the notifications on the home page of the launchpad is that the launchpad home area displays notifications within the launch tiles. By separating the notifications from the tiles, our rationale is to guide the user and make him aware of critical and actionable issues immediately. Other types of information may be suitable for display in the notification area, such as progress indicators for long-running tasks (for example, for a build or deployment process).

With the design of the viewport, the systems and methods described herein can concurrently manage different screen areas without sacrificing simplicity and responsiveness. The viewport offers a partial view of a potentially infinite surface on which content and functionality can be placed either in a fixed layout with the three main areas, or in a more flexible layout of multiple areas.

In one example, the Me Area slides into view from the left to offer users access to various user-related information including personalization, profile, settings and interaction history. Similarly, the notification area slides into view from the right to offer users access to system-driven information that helps them to become aware of critical, real-time information. The notification area may also offer other system-driven content.

FIG. 1B is an illustration showing an example login screen 110 displayed in the shell main container 104. The login screen 110 provides a UI that allows a user to enter credentials in order to log into and begin a personalized and customized UX. In the example shown in FIG. 1B, the login screen 110 appears to drop into the shell main container 104 from a virtual extension area located along a top of a display area. In some implementations, the virtual extension area can be placed along the bottom of the display area. In some implementations, the virtual extension area can be placed to the left and/or the right of the display area.

FIG. 1C is an illustration showing an example launchpad 101 displayed in the shell main container 104. The launchpad 101 can be a web-based entry point (or homepage) for enterprise applications that can execute (run) across multiple platforms and computing devices. In the example shown in FIG. 1C, the launchpad 101 appears to drop into the shell main container 104 from the top of a display area. In some implementations, the virtual extension area can be placed along the bottom of the display area. In some implementations, the virtual extension area can be placed to the left and/or the right of the display area.

The launchpad 101 can serve as a bracket around (or a base for) a set (or group) of enterprise applications, providing a single point of entry for the set of enterprise applications. In the example shown in FIG. 1C, the launchpad 101 presents (displays on a screen of a computing device of a user) each application represented by a tile. A tile can be a container that represents the application. Each tile can display different types of content. A user can interact with each tile to navigate to the specific enterprise application associated with the tile. In addition, when designing a tile to represent a specific application, a programmer can assign a tile to a specific user or group of users. The launchpad 101 can provide one or more services. The one or more services can include, but are not limited to, application-to-application navigation, personalization, role-based application assignments, search, and incident creation.

The launchpad 101 can be a role based, personalized, real-time and contextual aggregation point for business applications and analytics. The launchpad 101 can run (execute) on multiple computing devices including, but not limited to, desktop computers and mobile computing devices such as laptop computers, tablet computers, notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, mobile phones, smart watches, etc.). In addition, the launchpad 101 can be deployed on multiple platforms (e.g., Linux, Windows, Windows Phone, MAC®, iOS®, OS X®, Android®, etc.).

The launchpad 101 includes tiles 114 a-h. Each tile can display different types of content. For example, tile 114 a can be a news and feeds tile that can enhance collaboration by providing a user with information about the enterprise. The tiles 114 a-h can be individually color-coded. A color can represent a particular role (e.g., finance, human resources, supply chain management (SCM), customer relationship management (CRM), etc.). The tiles 114 a-h can be associated with a group 116. Tile 114 f can be a key performance indicator (KPI) tile. Tile 114 b can be a basic launch tile. Tile 114 d can be a monitoring tile. Tile 114 g can display a comparison chart for specific content.

The launchpad 101 includes a link list area 118 that includes links 119 a-f. The link list area 118 is an area on the launchpad 101 that can provide links to enterprise applications represented by the tiles 114 a-h. For example, a user can select and drag a tile from the tile area on the launchpad 101 into the link list area 118 to create a link to the application associated with (represented by) the tile. In some implementations, the launchpad 101 can include a footer toolbar (e.g., footer toolbar 132 as shown in FIG. 1F). In some implementations, the footer toolbar can appear to float over the content displayed in the launchpad 101.

In some implementations, the shell toolbar 108 can display a search icon 111 and a copilot launch icon 113. A user can select (click on) the copilot launch icon 113 to launch a copilot UI. A copilot UI will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 1I.

FIG. 1D is an illustration showing an example active application screen (overview page 120) displayed in the shell main container 104. The enterprise applications that can be accessed by a user by way of the launchpad 101 and then subsequently displayed in an active application screen (e.g., the overview page 120) can include, but are not limited to, transactional applications, analytical applications, and fact sheet applications (contextual navigation applications). Transactional applications can allow a user to create, change and/or approve processes with guided navigation. Analytical applications can provide a user with a visual overview of a dedicated topic for monitoring and tracking purposes to allow for further key performance indicator (KPI) related analysis. Fact sheet applications can allow a user to view essential information about an object and to allow navigation between related objects.

The overview page 120 can visualize all of the information a user may need for a specific business context (business domain) on a single page or screen. The information can be displayed in one or more variable content packages (VCPs) or cards 122 a-i. Each card can be a container of content for organizing large amounts of information on an equal plane within the overview page 120. In some implementations, a user can rearrange the position of the cards 122 a-i on the overview page 120. In some implementations, a user defines, adds, or deletes cards included in the overview page 120.

An overview page (e.g., the overview page 120) can be a selectable application (e.g., from the launchpad 101) providing an integrated gateway into enterprise applications and application content included in the launchpad 101. The UI of the overview page (e.g., the overview page 120) can provide a user with a visual summary of data, links, actions, and content that are relevant to a business domain of expertise of a user and relevant to a selected role of the user within the domain. The visual summary can be presented in one or more cards (e.g., the cards 122 a-i) that display live content to a user at-a-glance without the user having to open multiple applications and perform multiple drill downs through application content to find and present the content.

In some implementations, the overview page 120 can include a footer toolbar (e.g., footer toolbar 132 as shown in FIG. 1F). In some implementations, the footer toolbar can appear to float over the content displayed in the overview page 120.

In some implementations, an enterprise system can determine content displayed on an overview page (e.g., the overview page 120). In addition or in the alternative, a selection of one or more business domains and one or more roles of a user in the business or enterprise can determine content displayed on an overview page (e.g., the overview page 120). In some implementations, a user can make the selection using a settings UI included in a launchpad (e.g., the launchpad 101). In some implementations, a user can select one or more business domains and/or one or more roles of the user in the enterprise by way of an overview page (e.g., the overview page 120). Selecting one or more business domains and/or one or more roles of the user in the enterprise by way of the overview page can maintain absolute relevance to the individual user and the way in which the user works.

In some implementations, the user can personalize the layout and placement of one or more cards (e.g., the cards 122 a-i) included in a UI of an overview page (e.g., the overview page 120) and the display of content included in each card. The personalization can enhance the workplace productivity of the user.

FIG. 1E is an illustration showing an example object page (object page 124) displayed in the shell main container 104. An object page can be a floor-plan used to represent objects in a UI. An object page can be used to display, create, or edit an object. An object can represent a business entity (e.g., a customer, a sales order, a product, an account, etc.). Enterprise applications that reflect a specific scenario (e.g., a sales order, am account status) can be bundled using an object. The object page can include a header area 126, a navigation area 128, a content area 130, and, in some implementations, a footer toolbar (e.g., footer toolbar 132 as shown in FIG. 1F). In some implementations, the footer toolbar can appear to float over the content displayed in the object page 124. For example, referring to FIG. 1C, a user can select the tile 114 f and an object page can be displayed to the user.

FIG. 1F is an illustration showing an example a footer toolbar (e.g., footer toolbar 132). In some implementations, referring to FIG. 1A, the footer toolbar 132 can appear at the bottom of a screen displayed in the shell main container 104, the left container 102, and/or the right container 106. For example, as described herein with reference to FIGS. 1C-E, a footer toolbar (e.g., the footer toolbar 132) can be displayed at the bottom of the launchpad 101, the overview page 120, and the object page 124. The footer toolbar (e.g., the footer toolbar 132) can continue to appear at the bottom of the screen of the display area of the display device even as the displayed screen is scrolled. The footer toolbar (e.g., the footer toolbar 132) can appear to hover over or float over the content being displayed on the screen. The footer toolbar 132 can include buttons or controls 134 a-k. The controls 134 a-k can be selected by a user in order to perform one or more actions that can affect content included on the page being displayed on the screen. The controls 134 a-k are examples of controls that can be included in a footer toolbar. In some implementations, the controls can be different, fewer than, or more than the controls 134 a-k. The type and number of controls included in a footer toolbar can be based on the type of page being displayed and/or the content being displayed in the page.

FIG. 1G is an illustration showing an example me area (e.g., me area 136) that can be displayed in the left container 102. In some implementations, the me area 136 can be displayed in the right container 106. The me area 136 includes an upper section 138 and a lower section 140. The upper section 138 includes a user icon 142. Selecting (clicking on) the user icon 142 can provide a user profile. A dropdown indicator button 144 displays a status of the user and, if selected, a user can logout of an application. The upper section 138 includes navigation targets 146 a-e. Selection of (clicking on) a navigation target by a user triggers a corresponding functionality (e.g., an application) associated with a navigation target. The me area 136 can provide various generalized functionalities as they are related to a user.

The upper section 138 can include sort selections 146 a-b. A user can select (click on) a sort selection (e.g., one of the sort selections 146 a-b) to determine how the listing of the recent activities included in the lower section 140 will be sorted and displayed.

The lower section 140 of the me area 136 includes a list of recent activities 148 a-c. The recent activities 148 a-c can include links 156 a-c, respectively, that when selected (clicked on) by a user can navigate the user to back to the shell main container 104, opening an application (or function) that corresponds to the link in the shell main container 104. Recent activity items can include, but are not limited to, enterprise applications, triggered searches, co-pilot collections, and co-pilot drafts.

FIG. 1H is an illustration showing an example notification area (e.g., notification area 150) that can be displayed in the right container 106. In some implementations, the notification area 150 can be displayed in the left container 102. The notification area 150 includes notifications 152 a-c. A user interacting with the UI in the notification area 150 can take immediate action on a notification. A notification item (e.g., notifications 152 a-c) can have an indicator (e.g., notification indicators 154 a-c) that can indicate the status of the notification. For example, a notification indicator can be color coded to indicate a particular status of the notification.

A user can reject a notification by selecting (clicking on) a reject selection (e.g., a reject selection 156 a-b). For example, a user can reject the notification 152 a by selecting (clicking on) the reject selection 156 a. The rejection of the notification 152 a (the notification status) can be indicated by content included in (e.g., a color of) a notification indicator 154 a. A user can acknowledge a notification by selecting (clicking on) an acknowledge selection (e.g., a acknowledge selection 158 a-b). For example, a user can acknowledge the notification 152 b by selecting (clicking on) the acknowledge selection 158 b. The acknowledgement of the notification 152 b (the notification status) can be indicated by content included in (e.g., a color of) a notification indicator 154 b.

A user can drill down into a relevant application by selecting (clicking on) a more info selection (e.g., a more info selection 160 a-b). In some cases, a user may contact someone directly in response to a notification.

FIG. 1I is an illustration showing an example copilot UI (e.g., copilot UI 162). For example, referring to FIG. 1C, a copilot application can be launched from the launchpad 101 when a user selects (clicks on) the copilot launch icon 113. The copilot application can provide (generate and display) the copilot UI 162. In some cases, the copilot UI 162 can float over the UI included in the launchpad 101. As a floating UI control, the copilot UI 162 can be visually unobtrusive and flexible in its cross-functional omnipresent implementation across any device or application screen.

The example copilot UI 162 is an example copilot start page or start screen. The start screen (the copilot UI 162) can be an entry point for copilot functionality for an enterprise system.

The copilot UI 162 can provide shortcuts to different copilot features. For example, as shown in FIG. 1I, a collection can be represented by an entry in a collection list 164 that includes collection list entries 164 a-d. A copilot collection can be a cluster of items in relation to a specific topic. For example, an item can be a note, a screenshot, a chat message, a copilot message, an object, or a quick create. In some implementations, the items included in the collection can be homogeneous (e.g., all of the items are of the same type). In some implementations, the items included in a collection can be non-homogeneous (e.g., the items can be of different types). Each collection list entry 164 a-d can provide a representation of a collection that can include a title, a timestamp (e.g., last changed), a visual content summary, and a textual content preview. In some implementations, the collection list 164 can be searched and/or filtered.

For example, the selection of a copilot shortcut 166 a-d can allow a user to create and navigate to a new collection with a specified intention. The selection of a copilot create icon 168 located in a copilot footer toolbar 170 can create and navigate to a new plain collection. The selection of a copilot settings icon 172 located in the copilot footer toolbar 170 can allow a user access to copilot settings (e.g., display a copilot settings UI, open a copilot settings application, etc.).

Copilot entries can be living, gradually growing artifacts and software entities that can accompany a user from the identification of an issue to a solution for the issue, while providing support in the form of relevant context and actions. Copilot entries can serve as memory aides while the copilot entries can incrementally evolve into valuable transactional tasks and collaborations as they mature in meaningful ways that bridge a gap between predefined application functionality and processes based on personal ways of working for a user. Though the example shown in FIG. 1I describes launching the copilot application from the launchpad 101, referring to FIG. 1A, the copilot application can be launched from other screens displayed in (included in) the shell main container 104, the left container 102, and/or the right container 106.

Copilot entries can be made ready for users to use when communicating, collaborating, and creating actionable transactions in desktop or mobile scenarios. For example, copilot text entries can be analyzed for recognizing and identifying relevant text related objects. Copilot text entries can emphasize displayed text, and a copilot application can recommend contextual entities for use in a current task. The copilot application can understand user context and can intelligently propose selections, auto-entries, and user options.

A smart template can provide a framework for generating user interfaces at runtime for an enterprise application. For example, a smart template can be used to generate the UI for the overview page 120 as shown in FIG. 1D. In another example, a smart template can be used to generate the UI for the object page 124, as shown in FIG. 1E. A smart template can provide a framework for generating the user interfaces based on metadata annotations and predefined templates for the most used application patterns. The use of smart templates can ensure design consistency by providing centralized high quality code by using predefined templates and controllers. The use of smart templates can keep applications up to date with evolving design guidelines. The use of smart templates can reduce an amount of front-end code used in building enterprise applications. The term “smart” can refer to annotations that add semantics and structures to provided data. The term “smart” can also refer to the way in which the templates understand the semantics.

FIG. 1J is an illustration of a timeline UI (e.g., the timeline 174). A timeline UI (e.g., the timeline 174) can display timeline entries 176 a-e. For example, the entries can be events, objects, and/or posts listed and displayed in a chronological order. The timeline 174 includes nodes 178 a-d that correspond to respective timeline entries 176 a-d.

The timeline 174 can be used for collaborative communications. The timeline 174 can be configured in multiple different ways depending on use case implementations. For example, the timeline 174 can provide information about changes of an object or about events related to an object. The timeline 174 can provide information about generated entries (e.g., value XY changed from A to B) or about manual entries (e.g., comments from an individual). In some implementations, the latest entry is at the top of a list displayed by a timeline. In some implementations, the timeline 174 can be displayed along with a business object. In some cases, the timeline 174 can be displayed to the right of the business object.

Two example versions of a timeline can include a basic timeline and a social timeline. A basic timeline can be a read-only timeline. A social timeline can allow for interaction and collaboration among users.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example system 200 that can implement the user interfaces and user experiences described herein. The system 200 includes an enterprise computing system 202, a network 204, and client computing devices 206 a-e.

For example, computing device 206 a can be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, or other type of mobile computing device. The computing device 206 a includes a display device 220. For example, computing device 206 b can be a laptop or notebook computer. The computing device 206 b includes a display device 222. For example, computing device 206 c can be a tablet computer. The computing device 206 c includes a display device 224. For example, the computing device 206 d can be a wearable device such as a smartwatch. The computing device 206 d includes a display device 226. For example, the computing device 206 e can be a desktop computer. The computing device 206 e can include a display device 228. A user of the computing devices 206 a-e can use/interface with the display devices 220, 222, 224, 226, and 228, respectively, when interacting with the enterprise computing system 202. The computing devices 206 a-e can display on the display devices 220, 222, 224, 226, and 228 any of the screens and UIs described herein.

The enterprise computing system 202 can include one or more computing devices such as a web management server 214, a frontend server 230, a backend server 208, and a mobile device management server 210. The enterprise computing system 202 can also include a database management computing system 212 that includes a database management server 212 a and a database 212 b. Though not specifically shown in FIG. 2, each server (the web management server 214, the frontend server 230, the backend server 208, the mobile device management server 210, and the database management server 212 a) can include one or more processors and one or more memory devices. Each server can run (execute) a server operating system.

In some first implementations, the client computing devices 206 a-d (e.g., the mobile computing devices) can communicate with the enterprise computing system 202 (and the enterprise computing system 202 can communicate with the client computing devices 206 a-d) by way of the mobile device management server 210. The mobile device management server 210 includes one or more mobile device platform application(s) 216. By using the mobile device platform application(s) 216, the enterprise computing system 202 can deliver cross-platform, secure, and scalable applications to the computing devices 202 a-d, independent of the mobile computing device-type (e.g., laptop, notebook, smartwatch, mobile phone, PDA, etc.) and independent of the operating system running on the computing device 206 a-d. In these implementations, the mobile device management server 210 can then communicate with the web management server 214.

In some second implementations, the client computing devices 206 a-e (both the mobile computing devices (computing devices 206 a-d) and the desktop computing device 206 e) can communicate with the enterprise computing system 202 (and specifically with the web management server 214), and the enterprise computing system 202 (and specifically with the web management server 214) can communicate with each of the client computing devices 202 a-e) using the network 204. The web management server 214 includes a web dispatcher application 218. In both the first implementations and the second implementations, the web dispatcher application 218 can act as a “software web switch” accepting or rejecting connections to the enterprise computing system 202.

In some implementations, the network 204 can be a public communications network (e.g., the Internet, cellular data network, dialup modems over a telephone network) or a private communications network (e.g., private LAN, leased lines). In some implementations, the computing devices 206 a-e can communicate with the network 204 using one or more high-speed wired and/or wireless communications protocols (e.g., 802.11 variations, WiFi, Bluetooth, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet, IEEE 802.3, etc.).

The frontend server 230 can include product specific UI Add-On Applications 232 and a UI infrastructure 234. The UI infrastructure 234 can include a design portion and a runtime portion. The frontend server 230 can decouple a lifecycle of a UI (e.g., design and runtime deployment) from the backend server 208. The decoupling can allow UI applications to interface with a plurality of different databases. The decoupling provides a single point of UI design, access, and maintenance allowing for theming, branding, configuring, and personalizing a UI without a need for development privileges to the backend server 208 (e.g., no need to have backend administrative rights). The decoupling can result in a more secure enterprise computing system. The decoupling can provide for rule-based dispatching of requests in a multi-system landscape (e.g., for approvals including aggregation).

The frontend server 230 includes a gateway 236. The gateway 236 can provide a way to connect devices, environments, and platforms to enterprise software based on market standards. The gateway 236 can enable the development of UIs for use in different environments (e.g., social and collaboration environments). The gateway 236 can enable the development of UIs for use on different types of client computing devices (e.g., client computing devices 206 a-e). The gateway 236 can enable the development of UIs for use in internet-based applications.

The backend server 208 can include a bundle (a set) of business applications (e.g., business suite 238). The business applications can be transactional applications. analytical applications, and fact sheet and contextual navigation applications. Transactional applications can allow task-based access to tasks that can include create and change. In addition or in the alternative, transactional applications can allow access to entire processes with guided navigation. Analytical applications can provide a user with a visual overview of complex tasks for monitoring and tracking purposes. Fact sheet applications and contextual navigation applications involve search and explore activities. Fact sheet applications and contextual navigation can allow a user to view essential information about an object and can allow contextual navigation between related objects.

The database management computing system 212 includes a database management server 212 a that can run (execute) applications that can manage a database 212 b. For example, the database 212 b can be an in-memory, column-oriented, relational database (e.g., SAP HANA®). The database management computing system 212 can include extended application services 240 that can embed a full featured application server, web server, and development environment within the database management computing system 212. The extended application services 240 can include application content 242 and reuse content 244 for use by the enterprise computing system 202 when providing a personalized, responsive, and simple UX across different types of computing devices and deployment options.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example system 300 that can implement the launchpad for the user interfaces and user experiences described herein. The launchpad acts as runtime shell environment for the apps described herein in which the personalized home page is one feature among many other services. The launchpad is based on a unified shell architecture. The guiding principle of the unified shell is to have a single, platform-independent, client-side runtime environment which can be hosted on different server platforms (e.g., SAP NetWeaver AS ABAP, SAP HANA XS, SAP HANA CloudPlatform).

In general, the framework described herein may support for modularizing comprehensive JavaScript applications. That means, instead of defining and loading one large bundle of JavaScript code, an application can be split into smaller parts which then can be loaded at runtime at the time when they are requested. These smaller individual files are called modules.

A module is a JavaScript file that can be loaded and executed in a browser. The module may include a name, a description, a dependency, and a declaration location. The content bundled in a module is up to the developer, but typically the content has a common topic, such as forming a JavaScript class or namespace or the contained functions address a specific topic, for example client to server communication or mathematical functions.

Modules have no predefined syntax or structure, but module developers can use the name, declaration, description, or dependency to identify such modules. The name identifies the module and is used with jQuery.sap.require to load the module. As human readers associate a module with the main JavaScript object declared in it, the module names by convention are a hierarchical sequence of dot-separated identifiers like sap.ui.core.Core. A developer can use all but the last identifier to group modules in a logical and/or organizational order, similar to packages in Java, and can use the last identifier to give the module a semantical name.

Modules can declare themselves and their location of content by calling the static jQuery.sap.declare function with their name. This helps SAPUI5 to check at runtime whether a loaded module contains the expected content by comparing the required name against the declared name. As a side effect, jQuery.sap.declare ensures that the parent namespace of the module name exists in the current global namespace (window). For modules without declaration, the framework assumes that the module has the expected content and declares it with the name that was used for loading. In some cases a module declaration is mandatory.

The description of a module is any JavaScript comment preceding the module's declaration statement and is intended to help to decide whether a module is useful for the intended purpose. The configuration UI displays the description next to the module name.

Modules can use the jQuery.sap.require method to load other modules they depend on. While jQuery.sap.require internally has the effect of a loadModule call, it can also be regarded as a dependency declaration. The dependency declarations can be evaluated at runtime, but can also be analyzed at built time or at runtime on the server.

In one example, the unified shell offers unified services with platform-independent interfaces (APIs) (e.g., services 301) to the hosted apps and shell components. The implementations of these services can utilize different service adapters for the respective platform to carry out platform-specific behavior. The unified shell can be enabled using a shell container 302, shell services 304, and a shell renderer 306. In some implementations, the shell container may be independent of shell services 304 by utilizing the shell renderer 306.

Applications (e.g., apps) 308 may be embedded in an application container 310. As this is an independent re-use component, the embedding aspect is decoupled from the renderer 306. The application container 310 can, for example, host SAPUI5 components, Web Dynpro ABAP applications and SAP GUI for HTML transactions.

The shell services 304 and renderers 306 are managed by the central shell container 302. The shell container 302 utilizes a runtime configuration 312, which defines the concrete implementations for services 314, adapters 316, and shell renderer 306, as well as global settings like theme, language, system and user data. The runtime configuration 312 is fed by a number of settings, including, but not limited to static configuration settings in the hosting HTML page, dynamic configuration data read from the front-end server during startup, and/or dynamic settings passed as query parameters in the URL

In some implementations, the JavaScript components shown in FIG. 300 are embedded into a single HTML page. The launchpad implementation of the SAP NetWeaver ABAP front-end server may contain a standard page called, for example, Fiorilaunchpad.html 318, or other URL directed to one or more viewports 320. Users may create custom start pages which utilize the shell with different static configurations.

The web browser can use http data and OData to access application back-end systems 322 and UI front-end server 324 (e.g., service implementations 326 and UI contact 328) via web dispatcher 330.

Users can embed apps into the Launchpad. When embedding applications into the launchpad, the system 300 differentiates between applications based on SAP GUI for HTML or Web Dynpro ABAP can be embedded using an iFrame (i.e., inline frame). The system 300 differentiates between applications based on SAPUI5. As these have been implemented using the same UI technology, these can be embedded directly into the Launchpad using DOM injection. This approach also allows smooth, animated UI transitions and the reuse of shared components at runtime. Therefore, applications have to be implemented as self-contained SAPUI5 components, as described below.

In a specific example, users can embed SAPUI5 Applications into the launchpad using the application container 310 configured with the following parameters: the URL (root path) of the application and the name of the SAPUI5 component. The root path is a path where the component controller for the SAPUI5 app (e.g., the Component.js file) is located. The application container 310 registers the component namespace as module path for the application URL.

The SAPUI5 component is defined with a file structure having a file named Component.js, which should be located in the root folder of the application being embedded. The definition of an SAPUI5 component includes the component metadata. The component metadata includes a config object containing additional information. The launchpad-specific configuration is defined in this config object.

The launchpad evaluates the following properties of the component configuration:

ResourceBundle—Path to the resource bundle that holds the translated app title. Example: i18n/i18n.properties.

TitleResource—Key of the app title text in the resource bundle. The title is typically displayed in the browser tab.

FavIcon—Path to the “favicon” (*.ico) file for the app, which is typically displayed in the address bar or next to the window title or tab title.

HomeScreenIconPhone, homeScreenIconPhone@2, homeScreenIcon Tablet, and/or homeScreenIconTablet@2—Paths to icons with different resolutions that are used when users add the (launchpad page containing the) app to their mobile devices' home screens. The properties with an @2 suffix enable referral to special icons for high-resolution devices.

The launchpad uses URL hashes for its own navigation. Direct manipulation of the location hash would interfere with the launchpad navigation. For cross-app navigation, use the Cross-Application Navigation service. For inner-app navigation, use the SAPUI5 routing API. Ensure that all controls created by your component are destroyed when the component is destroyed. Avoid using sap.ui.localResources inside your Component.js file. sap.ui.localResources registers a path relative to the main page (Fiorilaunchpad.html).

FIG. 4A is an example screenshot 400 of a scrollable screen area. The scrollable screen area may provide one or more viewports that a user can scroll through. For example, the entire screen area may be a viewport that can be scrolled onto and off of a display screen. In another example, each region (e.g., container) within the screenshot 400 may be a viewport that can be scrolled between other viewports. As shown, the screenshot 400 includes a left container 402, a shell main container 404, a right container 406, and a shell toolbar 408. In general, it may be possible for a user to scroll (e.g., pan) left and right across different regions (e.g., container 402, container 404, container 406, and container 408) on a display device screen.

In one example, the shell toolbar 408 can be used to toggle between viewports. As shown in FIG. 4B, a screenshot 410 includes a representation 411 of the Shell Toolbar 408. The representation 411 may be provided when the Shell Toolbar 408 is off the screen. For example, if the user chooses to view other viewports that do not include the toolbar 408, then a representation 411 of the toolbar can be provided. The representation 411 includes a Toggle Me Area control 412 that can toggle between viewports (e.g., container 402, container 404, container 406, and container 408). The representation 411 also includes a Back to launchpad control 414 to enable the user to return to their launchpad viewport. A Toggle Notifications control 416 is shown to enable the user to toggle the Notifications in and out of a view of the screen.

As shown in FIG. 4C, a screenshot 420 depicts a number of Viewports 422, 424, and 428 viewable on a display screen of a computing device 428. The Viewports 422-426 may be selected by a user to show additional data associated with each respective Viewport. For example, if a user selects an item on the launchpad viewport 424, a scrollable overlay 430 can be presented in part within the screen of device 428. In one example, the overlay 430 may be a single viewport that is scrollable by the user. In another example, a number of Viewports can be represented by overlay 430. If the user selects a portion of the overlay, any Me area or notification area viewports may be hidden to display additional overlay data.

The architecture described herein can also enable a viewport that can be translated, faded, zoomed, and/or scaled on a display screen. As shown in FIG. 5A, a screenshot 500 includes a left container 502, a main container 504, and a right container 506. The left container 502 may include a Me area while the right container 506 includes a notification area. More or fewer containers can be shown and any of the containers may be presented in any position on the screen in one or more viewports (or virtually off of the screen). The viewports described herein can support parallax side-to-side scrolling. In one example, when scrolling content, the user can shrink and fade content (e.g., as shown at arrow 508) from the main container 502. In another example, the user can scale up content and move content to another container/viewport, as shown by arrow 512 in FIG. 5B. Users can also zoom into and out of a region on a container/viewport.

FIG. 5C illustrates a screenshot 520 of an example animation that can occur when a user interacts with a portion of a viewport. In particular, if the user is viewing a viewport (e.g., an open viewport), and selects a profile icon 522, the profile image is faded from a user profile picture into a cancel icon 524. The fade includes a gradual removal of the icon by scaling down (e.g., shrinking from larger to smaller) the profile image. When the user closes the viewport, the cancel icon 524 is faded into the profile icon. The fade in includes scaling the cancel icon 524 from smaller to larger. In one example, if the left container is open and the Main container or Notification container is clicked, the same procedure can occur as in when closing the left Viewport/container.

FIG. 5D illustrates a screenshot 530 that depicts a user moving content from a main container 504. Here, the user is moving a launchpad into left container 502 from main container 504. When the user begins to move the content, an animation is generated by the systems described herein to scale down (e.g., shrink) the launchpad element as the element is dragged to the left between containers/viewports 504 and 502.

FIG. 5E illustrates a screenshot 540 that depicts a user moving content from a notification container 506. Here, the user is moving notifications from right container 506 into main container 504. When the user begins to move the content, an animation is generated by the systems described herein to scale up (e.g., enlarge) the notification element as the element is dragged to the left between containers/viewports 506 and 504.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example process 600 for generating a user interface. The user interface may include any number of viewport facilities (e.g., viewports). A viewport may represent a partial view of the user interface and may include information from any number of sources. The sources may include, but are not limited to applications, social media platforms, messaging facilities, and stored data pertaining to a role of a user accessing the user interface. IN some implementations, the user interface may be an adjustable surface area.

In general, viewports are responsive, flexible, and extensible for users. The sizing, placement, location, arrangement, etc. of artifacts within a viewport may also be responsive and flexible, as well as alterable, and dynamically configurable. Particular aspects of a viewport may be supported by any number of different mechanisms including, for example, workflow engines, rules, events, the rating, ranking of an event, alerts, prioritizations, and/or the definition/assignment of user roles.

In some implementations, viewports may receive, pull, retrieve, etc. information from any number of sources including for example Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Lync, SMS/MMS/IM/etc. messaging facilities, social media platforms, internal and/or external enterprise systems, etc. A viewport may receive information manually through user input. A viewport may employ any number of different automatic learning capabilities. For example, a viewport may be used to determine context or user-related information provided to the viewport. A viewport may continuously and dynamically evaluate a range of data and/or parameters to identify information that may be relevant to a user (or a definition of a rule for a user).

During various processing activities a viewport may examine any number of items including things that are on a user's mind and work that is pending within a user's role. During processing activities, a viewport may incorporate and/or leverage any number of pieces of data including information (e.g., from a wearable device such as a Fitbit), location information (e.g., from a GPS or LBS facility), etc. Various aspects of a viewport may leverage or draw upon different bodies of configuration information. For example, the definition and/or description of different roles that a user may take encompassing activities, behaviors, priorities, tasks, etc. A user may have one or more roles.

A user may browse, traverse, etc. elements of a viewport in any number of ways. While a viewport may improve and/or augment aspects of a Fiori environment, a viewport is not limited to just a Fiori environment and may operate, function in any number of other environments.

A viewport may reside, operate, etc. within a user interface on any target device including for example any combination of one or more of inter alia a desktop, a notebook, a tablet, a smart phone, a smart watch, etc. and may among other things dynamically adjust or adapt aspects of itself to account for any particulars (e.g., display real estate, input mechanism(s), etc.) of a target device.

A viewport may include one or more graphical user interfaces of software applications that display content (e.g., main content) together with functions and other information besides the main content, i.e., supplemental content. Such applications may include standalone software programs that include a built-in display module that generates a graphical user interface as described in the example embodiments herein. Alternatively, display functionality may be provided separately, e.g., as an add-on package, a plug-in or through a separate program that communicates with a main content providing program via an Application Program Interface (API). The main content providing program and/or the display program may be executed locally on a user device and/or remotely, as a Web application, for example.

Example embodiments are described in which a display area, referred to herein as a “viewport,” is switchable to display the main content at a different time than the above described functions and information. When the main content is selected for display, the viewport provides the user with a clear screen orientation, allowing the user to focus on his current task. Additionally, the viewport includes user selectable options to switch the display to the functions and information, thus ensuring access to everything the user may need in a convenient, space saving and visually appealing way. The options require minimal space to display, so that user interface can be made to look essentially the same across different computer devices. Thus, the viewport has a responsive design.

In an example embodiment, the functions and information are assigned to at least one virtual extension of the viewport. Preferably, the virtual extension includes a first extension area to the left of the viewport and a second extension area to the right of the viewport. When the main content is selected, the extension area(s) are hidden from display.

In another example embodiment, the viewport is switched to display selected supplemental content by triggering a graphical icon inside the viewport. Alternatively, if the display is touch-sensitive, the viewport may be switched by a touch gesture such as a swiping motion towards or away from the corresponding extension area. The viewport may be switched back to the main content, e.g., by triggering a respective icon or using a gesture.

In another example embodiment, trigger icons indicate when new or unread information is available inside a respective extension area. The indication can be a numerical counter, a symbol, a special graphic or animation, etc. Thus, the user need not leave the current context, i.e., the main content, to be alerted to new information.

In yet another example embodiment, the supplemental content is displayed by moving the corresponding extension area over to the viewport. Preferably, the movement is animated in the manner of a camera pan. However, other movements such as instantaneous display or fading in and out are also possible.

In another example embodiment, at least part of the main content remains on display in the viewport when the extension area is displayed. The main content may be shifted away from a central portion of the viewport and reduced in size (e.g., scaled down to 75% of its original size) to direct the user's attention to the supplemental content. In this display state, the main content may be partially cut off by the border of the viewport.

Referring to FIG. 6, a process 600 is depicted for generating a user interface. The user interface may be customized and includes a set of UI elements (e.g., graphical targets, navigation links, icons, graphs, pictorial data, applications, etc.). Each viewport may include any or all architecture including, but not limited to a shell container, an application container, a renderer, services (e.g., shell services), a runtime configuration, web browser functionality, etc. The user interface and viewports may have access to frontend servers and backend servers (e.g., server 324 and server 322).

At block 602, the process 600 includes obtaining a plurality of viewports. The viewports may be generated by architecture 300 and provided to a frontend server 324. At least some of the plurality of viewports may include personalized content from a plurality of sources and application functions integrated from a plurality of different applications. This may be because particular viewports may include information or applications for a user to carry out a particular assigned role.

At block 604, the process 600 includes providing, for display in a display device, the user interface depicting at least one of the plurality of viewports (e.g., containers) in the display. For example, a viewport 404 (FIG. 4A) is displayed in a main view of a user interface. Viewport 408 is a toolbar that is also provided in the main view of the user interface. The viewports 402 and 406 are not presently shown on a display device white the display device is displaying viewport 404. However, the user interface is scrollable and as such, a user can select (e.g., touch, swipe, select control) to move the user interface left or right to respectively capture viewport 406 or viewport 402. In some implementations, the user interface can provide scrolling functionality between the plurality of viewports that includes animations such as a fading out and downward scaling of a first viewport before fading in and upward scaling of a second viewport in the user interface. If the display of the display device were large enough to display all of the viewports in FIG. 4A, then all viewports can be displayed.

At block 606, the process 600 includes generating the one or more additional viewports, appending the one or more additional viewports to the user interface, and generating an updated user interface to include the plurality of viewports and the one or more additional viewports, in response to receiving a request to add one or more additional viewports. For example, if a user wishes to add a viewport for displaying scheduling and email content for one project and another viewport for displaying drawings and purchase costs for a second project, two viewports can be generated and appended or interleaved into the current user interface. That is, additional containers (e.g., views, shells, etc.) can be generated for the user interface.

At block 608, the process 600 includes displaying the updated user interface with a selected one or more of the additional viewports being scrolled into view on the display of the display device. The selected one or more of the additional viewports is based at least in part on a size of the display of the display device. That is, a bigger display can allow for concurrent display of additional viewports.

In one example, a first viewport of the plurality of viewports may include a container with a user profile portion, a configuration settings portion, and a plurality of controls, as shown in the left container (e.g., viewport) 502 in FIG. 5A. A second viewport of the plurality of viewports may include a launch-able content container, as shown in FIG. 5A (e.g., launchpad 504). A third viewport of the plurality of viewports may include a notification container, as shown in the right container 506 of FIG. 5A. A fourth viewport of the plurality of viewports may include a header toolbar. The header toolbar may include a plurality of controls, as shown in FIG. 4A (toolbar 408). IN some implementations, the plurality of controls are associated with a context of content being displayed in one or more of the plurality of viewports.

In some implementations, the process 600 may include resizing at least one viewport in the plurality of viewports, in response to detecting new information is available to be displayed in the user interface. For example, if new notifications are available, the systems described herein may resize a viewport to show the indication of the new notifications.

The various systems and techniques described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. The various techniques may implemented as a computer program product, i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine readable non-transitory storage device, for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. A computer program, such as the computer program(s) described above, can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory or a random access memory or both. Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also may include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magnetooptical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of nonvolatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magnetooptical disks; and CDROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in special purpose logic circuitry.

Implementations may be implemented in a computing system that includes a backend component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a frontend component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation, or any combination of such backend, middleware, or frontend components. Components may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN), e.g., the Internet. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for generating a user interface, the method comprising: obtaining a plurality of viewports, at least some of the plurality of viewports including personalized content from a plurality of sources and application functions integrated from a plurality of different applications; providing, for display in a display device, the user interface depicting at least one of the plurality of viewports in the display, the plurality of viewports being scrollable in the user interface; in response to receiving a request to add one or more additional viewports, generating the one or more additional viewports, appending the one or more additional viewports to the user interface, and generating an updated user interface to include the plurality of viewports and the one or more additional viewports; and displaying the updated user interface with a selected one or more of the additional viewports being scrolled into view on the display of the display device, wherein the selected one or more of the additional viewports is based at least in part on a size of the display of the display device.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each viewport is a partial view of the user interface and wherein the plurality of sources include applications, social media platforms, messaging facilities, and stored data pertaining to a role of a user accessing the user interface.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising providing scrolling functionality between the plurality of viewports, the scrolling functionality being animated by fading out and downward scaling a first viewport before fading in and upward scaling a second viewport in the user interface.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a first viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a container with a user profile portion, a configuration settings portion, and a plurality of controls, a second viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a launch-able content container, a third viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a notification container, and a fourth viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a header toolbar, the header toolbar including a plurality of controls.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of controls are associated with a context of content being displayed in one or more of the plurality of viewports.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each viewport provides a partial view of the user interface and wherein the user interface has an adjustable surface area.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising resizing at least one viewport in the plurality of viewports, in response to detecting new information is available to be displayed in the user interface.
 8. A system for generating a user interface, the system comprising: a shell container, executing in a web browser and providing a plurality of services for configuring a plurality of viewports in a user interface; an application container, executing in the web browser, the application container being programmed to, obtain the plurality of viewports, at least some of the plurality of viewports including personalized content from a plurality of sources and application functions integrated from a plurality of different applications; provide, for display in a display device, the user interface depicting at least one of the plurality of viewports in the display, the plurality of viewports being scrollable in the user interface; in response to receiving a request to add one or more additional viewports, generate the one or more additional viewports, appending the one or more additional viewports to the user interface, and generating an updated user interface to include the plurality of viewports and the one or more additional viewports; and display the updated user interface with a selected one or more of the additional viewports being scrolled into view on the display of the display device.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein each viewport is a partial view of the user interface and wherein the plurality of sources include applications, social media platforms, messaging facilities, and stored data pertaining to a role of a user accessing the user interface.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the application container is further programmed to provide scrolling functionality between the plurality of viewports, the scrolling functionality being animated by fading out and downward scaling a first viewport before fading in and upward scaling a second viewport in the user interface.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein a first viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a container with a user profile portion, a configuration settings portion, and a plurality of controls, a second viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a launch-able content container, a third viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a notification container, and a fourth viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a header toolbar, the header toolbar including a plurality of controls.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein each viewport provides a partial view of the user interface and wherein the user interface has an adjustable surface area.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the application container is further programmed to resize at least one viewport in the plurality of viewports, in response to detecting new information is available to be displayed in the user interface.
 14. A computer program product for generating a user interface, the computer program product being tangibly embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one computing device, are configured to cause the at least one computing device to: obtain a plurality of viewports, at least some of the plurality of viewports including personalized content from a plurality of sources and application functions integrated from a plurality of different applications; provide, for display in a display device, the user interface depicting at least one of the plurality of viewports in the display, the plurality of viewports being scrollable in the user interface; in response to receiving a request to add one or more additional viewports, generate the one or more additional viewports, append the one or more additional viewports to the user interface, and generate an updated user interface to include the plurality of viewports and the one or more additional viewports; and display the updated user interface with a selected one or more of the additional viewports being scrolled into view on the display of the display device.
 15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein each viewport is a partial view of the user interface and wherein the plurality of sources include applications, social media platforms, messaging facilities, and stored data pertaining to a role of a user accessing the user interface.
 16. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising scrolling functionality between the plurality of viewports, the scrolling functionality being animated by fading out and downward scaling a first viewport before fading in and upward scaling a second viewport in the user interface.
 17. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein a first viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a container with a user profile portion, a configuration settings portion, and a plurality of controls, a second viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a launch-able content container, a third viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a notification container, and a fourth viewport in the plurality of viewports includes a header toolbar, the header toolbar including a plurality of controls.
 18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the plurality of controls are associated with a context of content being displayed in one or more of the plurality of viewports.
 19. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein each viewport provides a partial view of the user interface and wherein the user interface has an adjustable surface area.
 20. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising resizing at least one viewport in the plurality of viewports, in response to detecting new information is available to be displayed in the user interface. 